Schumer Legislation Banning Bath Salts, Synthetic Marijuana and 9 Other Deadly Synthetic Substances Passes Congress; Life-Saving Measure Now Headed to President's Desk for Signature

Press Release

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the U.S. Senate passed has powerful new drug legislation that would permanently ban the deadly chemical compounds marketed and sold as bath salts and incense and synthetic marijuana in the United States. Schumer successfully fought to include three bills relating to synthetic substances, S. 409 (Bath Salts), S. 605 (Synthetic Marijuana), S. 839 (Synthetic Hallucinogens) as part of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act which passed the Senate last night, after having already passed the House. Schumer and his colleagues were able to pass this ban over the strenuous objections of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).

"The market for deadly synthetic drugs is now closed," said Schumer. "This bill closes loopholes that have allowed manufacturers to circumvent local and state bans and it ensures you can't simply cross state lines to buy these deadly poisons. We have seen bath salts involved in some of the most heinous crimes in recent months and with the president's signature, we can eradicate these toxins once and for all."

Schumer's bath salt legislation will specifically ban MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone, the active ingredients in bath salts and are now being sold online, at convenience stores, and in smoke shops under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove, Legal Phunk and Vanilla Sky. According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in these bath salts and plant foods cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and Methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. In one case a user was reported to have resorted to self-mutilation after abusing the substance. In several cases, users have died after overdosing or because of violent behavior.

The bill will also ban the 20 primary components of synthetic marijuana. Synthetic marijuana's disturbing effects have also been seen throughout Long Island. According to Newsday, in March a man ended up in the hospital thinking he was having an anxiety attack or a heart attack after using synthetic marijuana. Furthermore, Fran Karliner, director of the Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore, told the Long Island Herald in May that area hospitals have seen an increasing number of cases patients exhibiting "irrational behavior" due to synthetic marijuana. Schumer's federal ban will help halt the growing scourge of synthetic drug use on Long Island.

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